Black Fire Update

The Black Fire, burning in Black Canyon within the Highland Ridge Wilderness approximately three miles southeast of Great Basin National Park, has grown slightly to 3,850 acres.

The lightning-ignited fire poses no threat to human life or property. Baker, Nev., and Garrison, Utah, residents may occasionally see smoke from the fire. The Lexington Arch Road is closed until further notice for public and firefighter safety.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Ely District is managing the fire in accordance with the Ely District Managed Natural and Prescribed Fire Plan, which identifies areas where allowing wildland fire to resume its natural role in the ecosystem would benefit resources. The plan increases native vegetative diversity and improves wildlife habitat. It also increases public and firefighter safety, and reduces the threat of catastrophic wildfire.

Assisting the BLM is the Forest Service, Great Basin National Park and Unaweep Wildland Fire Module (WFM), of Grand Junction, Colo. The Unaweep WFM is a 7-person crew that supports national interagency programs with the use of fire, including prescribed fire and wildfire, and hazardous fuels reduction and other projects.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2013, the BLM generated $4.7 billion in receipts from public lands.